Improvement in bands for head-dresses



UNITED VSTATES PATENT ,OEEICEO IMPROVEMENT IN BANDS FOR HEAD-DRESSES.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 48,677, dated July 11, 1865.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, NATHANIEL GRANT and GEORGE DOWNS, both of the city and full, clear, and exact description thereof.

Figure l represents the band which is the subject of our improvement. Fig. 2 represents a similar band when ornamented and iitted for a head-dress.

The prevailingstylein which ladies now gather their back hair has` introduced the fashion of Wearing a head-dress, which, in addition to the useful purpose of holding the hair in place, which it is made to subserve, is also intended for an article of ornament. These head-dresses consist of a curved band, which has heretofore been made of metal or of toroiseshell, iiiting the contour of the back part of the head, secured by along pin passing through the hair. To this band ornamented stones or beads are attached and pendants hung in various styles.

The object of our invention is to substitute an inexpensive material in place of the costly metallic or shell bands heretofore used which shall answer the purpose quite as well and be equally rich in color and finish. We' use for the purpose the hoofs or horns ot' animals, the

former being preferable, which are prepared by the following means: The substance of the hoof or horn is first boiled in oil until it has become sufficiently softened to admit ot' being pressed into sheets. The sheet is then cut up into the desired form for the band, as shown, for instance, in Fig. l, which is colored with sngar or acetate of lead, or by any means employed by the manufacturers of combs, and shaved, polished, and engraved. Each band is then rendered pliable by being again immersed in oil, and is then pressed between the metallic formers, which are heated, and the proper curvature given to it for the purposes for which it is designed. `The bands are` now ready to be mounted with ornaments, one style of which is shown in Fig. 2.

We do not claim as novel the ireating of the substance ot' the hoofand horns oi' cattle in the manner described, as the saine process is employed in other branches of the arts; but

Vhat we do claim as of our invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

The improved band i'or ornamental headdresses, made ofthe material herein described, as a new article ot' manufacture.

NATHANIEL' GEANT. GEORGE noWNs.

Witnesses:

BENJ. F. THURs'roN, GEO. B. BAERcWs. 

